BATHING PROSPECTS

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20477, 1 December 1934, Page 13

BATHING PROSPECTS

Beaches in Safe Condition for To-Morrow. HIGH TIDE ABOUT 1 P.M. Ideal bathing conditions are promised for to-morrow, provided the warm, settled weather is maintained. The tide on the average will be high at one o’clock in the afternoon on the various beaches. Reports state that the beaches are safe in the areas marked out by the coloured discs. The high water times for to-morrow are as follows: Lyttelton a.m. p.m. (Corsair Bay, etc.) .... 0.20 0.35 Sumner 0.20 0.35 New Brighton 1.20 1.35 Akaroa 11.15 Wood end and Waikuku will be approximately the same as New Brighton. The sea is now warmer than it has been probably for years, so that with a continuance of the present ideal bathing conditions it is anticipated that Corsair Bay, the beaches and other resorts will be thronged tj-morrow. The surf clubs will keep a careful eye on bathers, and officials again appeal to the public to take the water between the discs set up on the beaches in front of the pavilions to mark the safety areas. Reports from the Beaches. Reports received this morning as to the state of the beaches were reassuring, though surf club officials emphasised the responsibility on bathers to have their swims without taking needless risks. The reports were as follows : Stunner:—The beach is very good at present. There are a number of pipis on the sand at high tide, so that bathers are advised to take care in walking, running or jumping at the water’s edge. There is a certain amount of river flotsam towards the Cave Rock end of the beach, but otherwise there is excellent bathing. The only trouble is the channel on the main beach on the east side of Cave Rock. This runs behind the breakers in front of the pavilion so that bathing at the east end of the beach is not so safe at low tide. About half tide and full tide conditions are splendid and there have been many persons in the water during the week. The beach is perfectly safe between the discs, but off Stoke Street and westwards of that point on the main beach, the channel runs in close to the shore at low tide and curves out, so that children should be carefully watched if they take the water at that point. Central and South Brighton:—Both these beaches are free from dangerous currents. The river channel runs straight along the beach, but nonswimmers only run the risk of getting into it at half tide. The only time when dangerous currents are met with is during nor’-westers. The surf is not great, the sea being comparatively calm. For week-end bathing both the beaches appear to be particularly safe, though bathers are advised to swim between the discs and not to venture out too far.

North Beach:—There is not a great deal of surf just now and conditions are safe between .the discs. At low and half tide the river channel has scoured out a long furrow parallel to the beach, but at high tide the sea is safe and dangerous outward currents are not noticeable. Bathers are warned to take care in shallow water, where pipis are to be met with.